When do you take your Christmas tree down?

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   Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years ago

   When do you take your Christmas tree down?
   
   My mother always took the tree down on January 7, the day after Epiphany, the Three Kings Day.
   Image source: Phyllis Doyle
   
   

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   FatFreddysCatposted 8 years ago

   Usually the first weekend of the new year... but since this weekend *IS* New Year's, it'll wait till the weekend after.

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      Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Keith. Happy New Year.

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   RTalloniposted 8 years ago

   Generally, I take it down when it's convenient.  If I'm having guests over New Year's then it waits until the event is over.  If not, it just might come down the day after Christmas.

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      Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you RT. Happy New Year.

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   fpherj48posted 8 years ago

   Phyllis.......INTERESTING!  You are the first person I know whose family ALSO waited until after the Epiphany.  My Dad's parents were Ukranian Orthodox Catholics who celebrated Christmas on Jan 6th.......so as kids we had TWO Christmases.  Because of this, my Mom & Dad left the tree up until after the 7th................
   For the past 10 years, I haven't had to take down a tree because I don't put one up anymore.   I go to my grandchildren's home to celebrate with them.  With no little ones at my house....I use the excuse to be lazy & just not decorate.  My cat pulls the ornaments off anyway!!
   Happy New Year, Phyllis.   Peace, Paula

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      Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Happy New Year, Paula. I leave my tree up till the 7th as my Mom did - mainly because I am lazy and put it off as long as I can. Peace, Phyllis.

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   Besarienposted 8 years ago

   Definitely before next Christmas!
   
   Mostly we take it down (our current tree is fake) pack it up and drag it up to the attic and strip our lights outside too on New Year's Day.
   
   One year, we left them until mid-January because we had my brother and his family coming for Christmas from out of town but something happened. We rescheduled Christmas for like two weeks later when they finally made it.

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      Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for commenting, Besarien. Happy New Year.

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   Jackie Lynnleyposted 8 years ago

   
   
   The very day after Christmas! I put it up Dec 2 because my Mom's birthday was Dec 1 so that has become tradition even now she is gone and I love having it up but the day after Christmas with all the packages gone it just looks so forlorn! I can't leave it up til New Year. BTW, Phyllis, don't think I wished you a Merry Christmas but hope you had one and have a very Happy New Year!

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      Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Ah! Thank you, Jackie. Hope you had a very Merry Christmas and hope your New Year is happy and prosperous.

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   dashingscorpioposted 8 years ago

   Usually after the new year starts.
   It really depends on when the next trash or recycle day is.

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      Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for commenting scorpio. Happy New Year.

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   peachpurpleposted 8 years ago

   my mom took it down in january, she said to leave the tree in the house for harmony

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      Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      What a nice thought your mother had. Thanks, peachy.

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   Venkatachari Mposted 8 years ago

   Good discussion here. I have come to know of some facts about the Christmas tree through these comments. It is just like our doubts about Ganesh Chauth, Dussera and Diwali decorations. When to remove them? I keep all of them for 3 days. Some people keep for 10 days and some for 5 days like that. Very interesting to see all these things.
   Wish all of you a Happy New Year 2016.

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      Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Venkatachari. I wish you a very Happy and prosperous New Year 2016.

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    Patty Inglish, MSposted 8 years ago

    Hi Phyllis! -
    
    I like to keep a small tree, Christmas and New Year's cards, and some other small decorations like Christmas mugs/cups up until the end of the Two Christmases and long New Year's celebrations that are also like Christmas in the Ukraine, all ending January 19.
    
    Then, Christmas and New Year's cards are great to keep up until Mardi Gras, since for that holiday, preparations (in New Orleans, anyway) begin on the 12th Day of Christmas with parades every week until the big Tuesday event.
    
    Also, I like to keep some decorations up that remind me of the Iroquois Nation's thanksgiving holidays/pow wows in December, January, and February. And, I love to see the white twinkle lights at night all year long in some front yards around my area. No dull January here, if I can help it.

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       Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       How delightful, Patty, to keep the decorations up for so much longer. I love the white lights all year, like some of our neighbors and businesses do. Wow! you catch a lot of holiday celebrations doing it your way.

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       Patty Inglish, MSposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       It's uplifting to see these things when winter is dreary! Have a grand 2016!

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       Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks, Patty. It is fun to read the comments and is cheerful. Have a wonderful 2016.

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    lisavollrathposted 8 years ago

    I took my Christmas tree down in January of 1996, and haven't put one up since! But yes, in my family, it came down after Epiphany.
    
    We also had a creche, and the wise men started far away from it on Christmas Eve. Every day until Epiphany, we'd move them a little closer.

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       Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Hi Lisa. That is a great idea to move the wise men a little each day. I like that. I think I will start doing that. Thanks.

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    satomkoposted 8 years ago

    After Three Kings Day.  It is tradition in my family at any rate.

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       Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Same as in mine. Thanks for commenting, Seth.

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    Matty Fernandezposted 8 years ago

    Today is January 1, my tree is coming down tomorrow. I never have an exact day.

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       Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks for commenting, Matty.

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    recappers delightposted 8 years ago

    We take our tree down until the first day that happens to be convenient after the New Year. Happily, that tends to coincide with Epiphany, and I like to think that we are observing Epiphany. However, I think the real truth is that we like to envision the holidays as still a relevant thing until after New year's Day.

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       Phyllis Doyleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you for commenting, recappers.

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